chemolysis rare.
(kɪˈmɒlɪsɪs)
[f. chem- in chemic, etc. + Gr. λύσις loosening; after electrolysis.]
Chemical decomposition: ‘name by Thudichum for the decomposition of organic compounds into more simple substances by merely chemical agents’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.). So chemolyse (ˈkɛməʊlaɪz), v. [cf. Analyse], trans. to decompose by chemical agency; chemolytic (kɛməʊˈlɪtɪk), a. [Gr. λυτικός loosening], relating to chemolysis.
| 1872 Thudichum Chem. Phys. 17 Both acids yield by chemolysis, cholic acid. Ibid. The liver splits up or chemolyses albuminous substances. Ibid. 8 The chemolytic method of research. 1878 Kingzett Anim. Chem. 369 In some chemolytic experiments upon albumin. |